Eligibility Check

To join the RAF you’ll need to meet certain criteria, like nationality, age, education and health. Some criteria apply to everyone joining the RAF; others only apply to specific roles. Take a look at the general RAF criteria below and select your preferred role to learn about some additional requirements you’ll need to meet.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

NationalityTo meet RAF nationality requirements, you need to be one of the following:

British citizen

British national

British/Dual national

Commonwealth citizen

Irish Republic national

Residency To meet RAF residency requirements, you should have been a UK Resident for a minimum of five years immediately preceding application, and have spent no more than 28 days per year outside the UK within those five years.

UK residents of less than five years, or those who have spent more than 28 days per year outside the UK will require more eligibility checks. If this is you, call us for further advice.

Age Requirements

Age requirements vary depending on which role you choose. The youngest age for applying is 15 years and nine months for an Airman. The oldest is 55 years for a Medical Officer.

If you’re under 18 years of age, you’ll need consent from a parent or guardian before you apply. If you’re under the minimum age to join, follow our Altitude Facebook Page to get a feel for life in the RAF.

Educational Requirements

Whatever your academic background, there are a range of great opportunities in the RAF. Some require minimal qualifications, others require specialist skills and/or a degree.

Fitness Requirements

All applicants must be fit in order to complete initial and specialist training, and perform their roles effectively. To assess fitness, every candidate undergoes two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course. The fitness requirements for these tests vary according to role, age and gender.

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

Some roles also require applicants to declare spent convictions, and obtain additional clearance.

Disqualifying Factors

The following are not permitted in the RAF. Extreme political affiliations, offensive tattoos or adornments, substance abuse and pending court appearances, for example, will automatically prevent you from being accepted into the RAF. See below for details.

Applicants who have been or are members of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence are automatically disqualified

Candidates waiting to appear in court, or who have spent or unspent convictions may be excluded from certain roles and must declare this on application

The misuse of drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids can automatically exclude an applicant, but each case is considered upon its own merits

Tattoos, brands or bead implants that are deemed obscene or offensive will result in disqualification. Tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform.

Body piercing which causes holes that do not close up is not permitted

Candidates who declare themselves to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt are ineligible to apply

Any candidate who is undergoing divorce proceedings will not be permitted to complete an application for service until the outcome of this action has been finalized, i.e. the marriage is dissolved as Decree Absolute, or there is a reconciliation of the partners

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your situation, and we’ll help you work out if you qualify.